The Library Collection:

The library, located on the ground floor of the UICC, contains more than 3,000 titles on a number of subjects regarding Ireland and Irish America:

Archaelogy, Architecture, Art, Biography, Cooking, Crafts, Genealogy, History (Ancient and Modern), Immigration, Literature (novels, poetry, plays and short stories), Music (including music scores), Mythology and Folklore, Religion, Sports, and Travel.

The library also has books written in the Irish language.

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Celebrate the library's 35th Birthday of the Patrick J. Dowling Library, the first all-Irish library in the United States at the United Irish Cultural Center, Saturday, April 10. Click for more information and to download the reservation form.

LIBRARY NEWS - February 2010

St. Brigid's Day, Bebruary 1

St. Brigid's Day is a traditional Irish festival named after the fifth-century Abbess of Kildare, who founded a religious center there and is one of the three patron saints of Irelans. Throughout the ages on this day pilgrims have visited the holy wells dedicated to her, such as the Brideswell, Co. Roscommon. To this day...read more

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Library News Archive:

• January 2009
• December 2009
• November 2009
• October 2009

Browse Our Titles:

Journals
New Titles: By Author / By Title
Genealogy Bibliography
Bulletins, Newsletters and Reports
Magazines
Newspapers
NEW - Videos - Patrons can view the videos on the library's VCR.
NEW -Microfilm and Microfiche*

*Thanks to Thomas and Regina Wrin's generous donation of microfilmed early San Francisco newspapers, census and city directories, patrons can research their Irish American ancestors that settled in the city as well as over 2,300 early Irish societies that existed here 1849-1927. Mr. Wrin's Early San Francisco Newspaper Index (ESFNI) CD-ROM, available at the library, connects the researcher to the library's microfilmed newspaper archives. Microfilm readers and printer, also donated by the Wrins, are available for use at the library. In addition, the library has microfilms and microfiche of various newspapers from other California counties, 1840-1860 Massachusetts census, and 1861-1863 Boston City Directories.

Scheduled Hours:

Thursday, Friday and Saturday: 1:30 to 4:30 pm.
2700 45th Avenue San Francisco 94116 (Library entrance near Wawona St.)

It is advised to call or email the library before coming to confirm hours.

Librarian:

Wendy King
Phone: (415) 661-2798
email: library@irishcentersf.org

The Library will be closed on the following days:

• Thursday, November 26
• Thursday, December 24
• Friday, December 25
• Saturday, December 26
• Thursday, December 31
• Friday, January 1

Reading Material Donations:

Interested in donating reading materials to the library? Please review the Library's Donation Guidelines and Procedure and consult with the librarian before dropping off any materials.

One of the library's goals is to add more books to the new Children's Section. In particular, the library would like an Irish language dictionary for children, as well as books on Irish and Irish American history, culture and sports written for this age group.

Financial Contributions:

Please consider making a contribution to the Patrick J. Dowling Library. With your generous gift of $20 you will receive a free copy of "Irish Californians: Historic, Benevolent, Romantic", written by library founder Patrick J. Dowling.

Your $20 contribution to The Irish Cultural Centre of California, a public not-for-profit 501(c)3, is fully tax deductible. 100% of your contribution will go directly to the upkeep of the Patrick J. Dowling Library. Contributions (cash or check) can be accepted during library hours (Thursday, Friday, Saturday 1:30 - 4:30pm).

For more information, please contact Wendy King, Librarian at library@irishcentersf.org or 415-661-2798.

Volunteer:

Please contact the librarian if you would like to be a volunteer. No previous library experience required.

Microsoft Word, Internet, data entry, Irish language (reading and wordprocessing), and grant research and writing skills are particularly needed.

History of the Patrick J. Dowling Library

Named after its first library director, Patrick J. Dowling (1904-1998), the library opened on April 5, 1975, a month after the United Irish Cultural Center opened.

Dowling immigrated from Camross, County Laois, arriving in San Francisco in 1926. When plans were made to build the United Irish Cultural Center, it was Dowling's idea to create an all-Irish library and archives. To accomplish this, he set aside his real estate business to travel in the U.S. and Ireland, soliciting book and journal donations. Homes and businesses served as donation centers. Initially he brought the books back with him or paid for their shipment to San Francisco. Later, an acquaintance in the shipping business took over the job of transporting donated materials without charge.

Until the construction of the center was completed, Dowling and Dan and Margaret Keohane stored the library materials in their homes. Mary Green, a librarian originally from Dublin, cataloged these first donations. The Patrick J. Dowling Library inspired other Irish communities in the U.S. and abroad to create an all-Irish library.

Consul General of Ireland, Brendan Moran, and City Librarian, Kevin Starr, were some of the many notable attendees at the library's dedication. Following the ceremony, a luncheon for approximately 150 was held at the center.

Mr. Dowling authored "California, the Irish Dream (1988) and "Irish Californians (1998), which are part of the library's many resources on Irish America.

The library's guestbooks chronicle visits by people from all around the world, including several distinguished people such as Tip O'Neill (pictured above), former speaker of the United States House of Representatives; Albert Reynolds, Prime Minister of Ireland; and Mary Robinson, President of Ireland. Over the years, dedicated volunteers -- professional library workers, bibliophiles, and supporters of Irish and Irish-American culture -- have generously given their time to keep the library going. And thanks to bighearted donors, the library's collection continues to grow, connecting patrons to all things Irish and Irish American. Past Library Directors: Patrick J. Dowling, 1975-1993; Thomas J. Carey, 1993-July 1999; Kevin J. Mullen, August 1999-2004; Joan Riordan Manini, 2004-January 2008.